The Eagles downed the New York Giants on Sunday 34-29 in a mini-thriller at MetLife Stadium to earn a first-round bye in the playoffs. With the win, the Eagles claimed the best record in the NFL at 12-2. John Gonoude from the Eagles' media relations department compiled these notes from the win.
RECORDS & STREAKS
- With a 34-29 win at New York on Sunday, Philadelphia is guaranteed a first-round bye in the playoffs. It is the first time the team has secured a bye in the first round since 2004.
- Philadelphia owns the best record (12-2) in the NFL this season. The Eagles have started 12-2 or better for just the second time in franchise history, having previously done so in 2004.
- Philadelphia is now 5-0 in division matchups this season, marking the best start to a season since 2004.
NICK FOLES NOTES
- Nick Folesrecorded his second career game with 4+ passing TDs. The only other time he accomplished that feat was on 11/3/13 at Oakland (NFL-record-tying 7 TDs).
- Foles totaled 3 passing TDs in the first two quarters alone, which were his most in a first half since 11/3/13 at Oakland (4 TDs).
OFFENSIVE NOTES
- Alshon Jefferyhelped give the Eagles their first lead of the game, 7-6, in the first quarter with a 3-yard TD. Jeffery leads the team with 9 receiving TDs (including 7 TDs in his last 7 games), which are the most by an Eagle since Jeremy Maclinin 2014 (10 TDs) and Jeffery's most since posting a career-high 10 TDs with Chicago that same season.
- Zach Ertz, who caught a 10-yard TD in the second quarter, now has a career-high 8 receiving TDs, which are tied with Brent Celekin 2009 for the most receiving TDs by an Eagles TE since the 1970 NFL merger.
- Trey Burtonrecorded his career-high 5th receiving TD of the season on a 13-yard catch in the second quarter.
- Ertz (8), Burton (5) and Brent Celek(1) have combined for 14 receiving TDs this season. That is the most receiving TDs by tight ends in Eagles single-season history.
- Nelson Agholor, who has a career-high 8 receiving TDs this season, helped lift the Eagles to a 31-23 advantage in the third quarter with a 10-yard TD.
- Jeffery (9), Ertz (8) and Agholor (8) are the first trio in Eagles history to each record 8+ receiving TDs in the same season.
- Torrey Smith surpassed 300 career receptions (301) with 2 catches in Sunday's contest.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
- Ronald Darbyintercepted Eli Manningin the second quarter and returned it 37 yards to the NYG 20. Darby is the seventh Eagle to record multiple INTs this season.
- Brandon Grahamnow has a career-high 9.5 sacks, which are the most by an Eagle since Fletcher Coxin 2015 (9.5).
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
- Philadelphia accumulated a total of three blocks on special teams Sunday, becoming the first team to block a PAT, FG and a punt in the same game since the Buffalo Bills accomplished the feat against the New England Patriots on 11/24/91 (two blocked FGs, PAT and punt).
- Malcolm Jenkins blocked Aldrick Rosas' 48-yard FG attempt in the fourth quarter to preserve the Eagles' 31-29 lead. It was Jenkins' second career blocked FG, having previously done so on 11/25/12 vs. San Francisco (David Akers) with New Orleans.
- Kamu Grugier-Hillproduced his first career blocked punt in the second quarter (recovered by Corey Clement). It was the Eagles' first blocked punt since Steven Means tipped a Chris Jones punt vs. Dallas on 1/1/17.
- Derek Barnettblocked Rosas' PAT attempt on the game-opening drive. It was Barnett's second career blocked kick (also blocked a Robbie GouldFG attempt and recovered and returned the fumble for an 8-yard gain vs. San Francisco on 10/30/17). The last time the Eagles blocked a PAT attempt was when Bennie Loganhalted a Steven Hauschka try at Seattle on 11/20/16.
